Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-28
FARMING ON THE VIRGINIA SIDE.
May Meeting Of the WO0dlawn Club

Club was held at the home OF President Pearson
on the 9TH inst. James W. Roberts, who was APP
pointed to inquire into the status OF the Aexan-
dria and Washington turnpike, reported: "1t ap-
peared to be controlled by the railroad company,
and that the authorities OF Alexandria had tried
to compel the company to improve the road, but
had SO far failed to obtain any satisfaction. The
canal company is willing that the bed OF the
canal shall be made into a roadway. The only
difficulty is the ,chere,cithdl for the construction
thereof" He was requested to continue the In
vestigation OF the matter.
The report of the critical committee was read,
which began with an apology for the younger men,
venerable President" The farm consists OF
about ESQ acres, 200 OF which are arabic. 1t has q
with the purest water from numerous fine springs.
Most of the land is nearly level and well adapted
to grass which In the opinion Of the COMMITTEES
commend more attention be given to permanent
pastures, with less blowing. They noticed a CON-
last meeting here with a capacity for 80 cows. It
was occupied by about 20 COWS, which showed the
enects good care and were responding very favor
ahly at the milk pail. The cows were being sup
piled with treakle appetizer, scotch idea OF
Mr.. Watts the foreman, which gave good results;
as did also the malt sprouts which were supplied
to them in liberal quantities. A field of 40 acres
OF oats was reported, which looked very we'll The
ySu you grass and clover also We're very promising:
system in the filling up OF bitches and neglect OF
hedge rows and which they congratulated our host
to see he was repairing the mischief that had been
done. They noticed fine vegetable garden. giving
promise Of peansiful supply for the family
profit OF one dollar piece from the hens is re-
ported, as return for the improved hennery; wire
feet in length, feet high Special attention was
called to the farm road. which had been very much
improved by half days work with the pillow and
rrh af hos nv
better outlay Of labor could be made as the adj
vantage Of good road about the farm, the saving
wear and tear of vehicles, &C.. was immense. 'A'
The question for discussion was next taken up,
"CAN WE IMPROVE OUR PRESENT SYSTEM OF FARMING?"
There was disposition to criticize the wording
1.-THE question; some thought the meaning was not
clear; that we might improve our farming with
out making it profitable; but the weight of testi-
mony indicated the intent was to make ii more
profitable. After much talk and the indulgence in
good bit of growing about hard times and OF
there being no profit In farming anyway, report
OF the last meeting or the Deer Creek Farmers
club In the american Farmer was read, wherein
this same subject was discussed, and the views OF
the different members, reported at some length in
detail, were commented upon, and excited cOnSid-
cradle interest. While some had hobbies and spe-
cialtieS to advocate, the general sentiment was In
favor Of diversified system OF farming with close
attention to details. Where one is near a good
market milk dairying, all things considered, is
probably the best thing TO follow, as the main
Ne
The poultry business, conducted with care and
judgment, would scarcely fail to be remunerattve;
also 1rult-grow1ng, to considerable extent, on
suitable SOIL, with close attention to details and
Careful handling OF fruit may be recommended.
There seems to be misrepresentation on the
part OF some farmers as to what constitutes profit.
A merchant may appear to be doing better than
farmer In the cash returns from his business but
he Is aC the same time looking toward expanding
his profits In the arrangement OF a comfortable or
luxurious home and the spending OF portion OF
his time and that or his family at some summer
resort away from the heat and dust OF the city.
The farmer, at the same time that he is taking in
but little spare cash, may be slowly but surely
takes just pride and much pleasure, and ia
enjoying The fruits OF his labOrS in the posses
sion OF many OF the essentials OF comfortable ex.
1stence that require OF the city man large out
lay in cash, and not the least among them is to be
reckOned the gift OF robust health for himself and
family which is seldom vouchsafed to the denizens
OF the crowded towns. From the evidence at hand
II was indicated that
STICK RAISING Is REASONABLY SURE OF SATISFACTORY
RETURNS,
and especially sheep. One member reported from
an outlay OF $685. last July he had sold 1905 worth
OF sheep, lambs and wool, and had fifteen left
over.
Chas. Gibbs introduced the matter Of the I'M
proyement OF the road to Alexandria. and stated
there were number living within few miles of
the city who would subscribe literally for the pur
pose OF improving the road II others would do the
same. He asked that the club take some action
and he was authorized to solicit subscriptions for
carrying out the object in view. The next meet
ing Will be at the residence OF Daniel Thompson,
near COllingwOod, on the 18th OF June. Critical
committee, ID. P. Smith, Oscar Baker, and 7. w.
Blunt.